Batting safety net Mike Hussey survived a controversial appeal to break English hearts in a tense low-scoring tri-series dogfight at the Gabba.

Hussey mixed patience with precision for a match-winning 46 not out to lead Australia (6-156) to a four-wicket win - its eighth straight victory over the outgunned tourists this summer.

But the in-form left-hander enjoyed a huge slice of luck when umpire Daryl Harper knocked back a confident caught behind appeal by James Anderson with the vice-captain just 19.

Hussey's guilty look of an admonished schoolboy said it all as a bewildered Anderson and furious wicketkeeper Paul Nixon exchanged heated words on the pitch.

"I had a bit of luck along the way," Hussey admitted to Channel Nine.

"It was hard work. The ball certainly did a bit all night and I thought England bowled really well.

Asked about his role as a middle-order saviour, Hussey said: "It's great fun, especially when you have the England wicketkeeper out there spurring you on all the way."

At 5-103 in the 30th over, the 'not out' call was the key moment of the tense clash which looked to be another cakewalk for the Australians when they took just 42 overs to rout England for 155.

But modest-performing pacemen Jon Lewis (4-36) and Anderson (2-29) turned destroyers to deliver a major scare as Australia's top-order succumbed through an array of overzealous shots.

The world champions slumped to 4-48 in the 13th over in front of a disbelieving capacity crowd of 38,823 when home-town hero Andrew Symonds slashed wildly to become Lewis's fourth victim.

Lewis dislodged destructive opening duo Adam Gilchrist (8) and Matthew Hayden (19) in identical fashion when top-edged pull shots were well caught in the deep by Anderson.

Anderson made Brad Hodge's recall one to forget by having him caught at gully for a second-ball duck from a leading edge.

Hussey and Michael Clarke (36 off 62) came to the rescue with a cautious but crucial 45-run union that put the teetering Australians back on track.

But the loss of Clarke, followed quickly by Cameron White, exposed the tail with 48 needed.

Brett Lee escaped a series of close calls to eke out an unbeaten 20 in a 48-run stand with Hussey, who belted two boundaries in the 39th over to ice the win and bonus point.

Despite the loss, England showed some fighting qualities that were sadly missing during their 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

Skipper Andrew Flintoff's return as captain was bitter sweet for the hulking all-rounder as he played manfully and took a bold attacking approach but was let down by his decision to bat first on winning the toss.

Glenn McGrath's brilliance, spectacular Australian fielding and England's impotent batting made a full mockery of Flintoff's decision in the bowler-friendly conditions.

Debutant opener Mal Loye, 34, propelled the tourists to their best start of the tri-series with run-a-ball 36, including an astonishing slog-sweep six off Brett Lee, to take the tourists to 0-52 in the 11th over.

But his dismissal - edging Nathan Bracken (3-24) to Matt Hayden at first slip - triggered a 5-19 collapse, including 3-1 off eight balls, from which England never recovered.

McGrath (3-24) was on a hat-trick as England slumped to 5-71 when he ended a dreadful seven-minute stay for Paul Collingwood.

Collingwood edged behind for a golden duck but before then he was largely guilty of running out Ian Bell (10) in one of the worst and most embarrassing mix-ups seen in limited-overs cricket.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP